Tool holder

ABSTRACT

A holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool connected to a vacuum producing system and having an inlet opening for the passage of air in response to vacuum produced by the system and comprising a generally L-shaped wall bracket, a flexible sheet of substantially air impervious material connected to and loosely extending between the free end portions of the bracket, and a tool support member carried by the bracket and adapted to support the tool in close proximity to the sheet so that vacuum produced by the system draws the sheet into sealing engagement with the tool inlet opening.

United States Patent Hunt 1 June 27, 1972 [54] TOOL HOLDER 1,565,066 12/1925 Dourson ..248/75 [72] Inventor: Davld H. Hunt, Simsbury, C011. FOREIGN PATENTS 0R APPLICATIONS [731 Assignee The 51mm" Turbine 'PW 208,173 1/1940 Switzerland ..15/314 Hartford, Conn. [22] Fil d; J 19, 1970 Primary Examiner-J. Franklin Foss Att0rneyMcCormick, Paulding & Huber [21] Appl. No.: 47,776

[57] ABSTRACT 15/ A holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool connected 0 I s I I I e t e t I u 0 s t a I v l e v n:---.- a [58] Field ofSearch ..248/75,309,31l525;g/11l;, 321557, the passage of air in response to vacuum produced by the l system and comprising a generally L-shaped wall bracket, a flexible sheet of substantially air impervious material con- [56] References Clted nected to and loosely extending between the free end portions UNITED STATES PATENTS of the bracket, and a tool support member carried by the bracket and adapted to support the tool in close proximity to 2,188,227 1/1940 Moore ..248/312 UX the Sheet so that vacuum produced by the system draws the 1 8/1949 Kennedy sheet into sealing engagement with the tool inlet opening. 1,177,714 4/1916 Lull 3,050,767 8/1962 Rankin ..15/419 X 9 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures PATENTEDJUHZY I972 FIG. 3

FIG.2

INVENTOR DAVID H. HUNT 727 M f//m/ ATTORNEYS TOOL HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a holder for a vacuum tool and deals more particularly with an improved holder for both supporting a tool and sealing it against passage of air therethrough. In a vacuum installation which includes a plurality of vacuum tools connected to a vacuum producing system, as, for example, a vacuum cleaning installation for an automobile laundry or the like, vacuum tools provided at various work stations will ordinarily be used intermittently. It is highly desirable that each tool not in service be sealed so that air does not pass therethrough. Sealing the unused tools increases the efficiency of the tools in service, reduces objectionable air noise and also reduces the load on the vacuum producing equipment. The principal aim of the present invention to provide a simple and effective device for accomplishing these purposes.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a tool holder embodying the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front elevational view of the tool holder of FIG. 1 and shows a vacuum cleaning tool supported thereon.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of the tool holder as it appears in FIG. 2.

- DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning now to the drawing, a tool holder embodying the present invention indicated generally by the reference numeral comprises a bracket 12 adapted for mounting on the support surface, a flexible sealing member 14 supported on the bracket for movement relative thereto, and a tool support member indicated generally at 16 carried by the bracket and adapted to support a vacuum tool for sealing engagement with the sealing member 14. The tool holder 10 is adapted to support vacuum tools which may vary in shape and size. In FIGS. 2 and 3, a typical vacuum tool or vacuum cleaner attachment 18 is shown supported on and sealed by the holder 10 which is III substantially equal to the width of the bracket 12 and greater than the width of the largest vacuum: tool which the holder. 10 is designed to accommodate. The sheet 14 is connected to and extends loosely between the legs 26 and 28. More specifically, the upper end of the sheet 14 is releasably clamped between the lip 32 and an elongated metal strip 38 by a plurality of fasteners 40, 40. The lower end of the sheet 14 is similarly held between the lip 30 and another strap- 42 by additional fasteners 40, 40. The aforedescribed arrangement for clamping the sheet 14 to the bracket 12 facilitates removal and replacement of the sheet, as necessary.

The tool support member 16 may take various forms. However, in the illustrated case, it comprises; ahanger formed by a pair of horizontally spaced arms 44, 44 formed from drill rod or like material and welded to the strap 42. The arms 44, 44 curve arcuately outwardly and upwardly relative to the vertically extending leg 26. Due to the arcuate configuration of the arms 44, 44, when the attachment 20 or a like tool is casually positioned on the hanger 16, as shown, it will tend to seek a position wherein its air inlet 24 is positioned in close proximity to the sheet 14. The vacuum produced by the system draws the sheet 14 into sealing engagement with the tool to seal the inlet opening 24 against the passage of air therethrough.

I claim: v

l. A holder for supporting a vacuum tool connected to a vacuum producing system and having an inlet opening for the passage of air therethrough in response to vacuum produced by the system and for sealing the inlet opening against passage of air therethrough, said holder comprising a bracket adapted for attachment to a support surface, a flexible sheet of air impervious material, means connecting a portion of said flexible sheet in fixed position to said bracket, said sheet having. another portion thereof loosely disposed in spaced relation to said bracket for movement relative thereto, and a tool support member carried by said bracket and adapted to support the tool with the inlet opening thereof inclose proximity to said other portion of said sheet so that said other portion is drawn. into sealing engagement with the inlet opening by a vacuum produced by the system.

2. A holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sheet is made from elastomeric material.

3. A holder for supporting andsealing a vacuum'tool asset forth in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises means for releasably securing said sheet: to saidbracket.

4. A holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tool support member includes means for causing the tool to seek a position in close proximity to said sheet when the tool is placed onthe support member.

5. A tool holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool as set forth in claim 4 wherein said tool support member includes a a tool supporting surface which curves arcuately outwardly secured to a support surface or wall 20 by a plurality of fasteners 21, 21. The attachment 18 may, for example, comprise part of a vacuum cleaner installation in an automobile laundry or the like, and has a hollow elongated handle 22 connected to a vacuum producing system (not shown) and communicating with an inlet opening or slot 24 formed in the end of the attachment and through which air passes in response to vacuum produced by the system.

Considering the tool holder 10 in further detail, the bracket 12 is preferably bent from a rectangular piece of metal and has a generally L-shaped configuration. More specifically, itincludes a vertical leg 26 and a horizontal leg 28 which projects outwardly from the upper end of the vertical leg 26. A lip 30 is bent outwardly from the lower end of the leg 26. Another lip 32 is bent downwardly from the outer end of the leg 28. Gusset plates 34 and 36 welded or otherwise centrally secured to the bracket 12 give it rigidity.

The sealing member 14 may be formed from any suitable relatively flexible air impervious material. In the illustrated embodiment, the sealing member 14 is formed from a rectangular sheet of neoprene rubber. The width of the sheet 14 is and upwardly from said bracket when said bracket is attached to the support surface, said tool supporting surface comprising said means for causing the tool to seek said position in close proximity to said sheet.

6. A holder for supporting a vacuum tool connected to a vacuum generating system and having an inlet opening for the passage of air therethrough in response to vacuum generated by the system and for sealing the inlet opening against passage of air therethrough, said holder comprising a generally L- shaped bracket adapted for attachment. to a wall surface or the like and having a generally vertically extending leg and a horizontally extending leg projecting outwardly from the upper end of said vertically extending leg, a flexible sheet of air impervious material connected to and loosely extending between the free end portions of said horizontally and vertically extending legs, and a tool hanger including a pair of generally horizontally spaced arms curving arcuately outwardly and upwardly from said vertically extending leg and adapted to support the tool with the air inlet thereof in close proximity to said flexible sheet whereby said sheet is drawn into sealing engagement with the inlet opening by vacuum generated by the system.

7. A holder for supporting a vacuum tool connected to a vacuum producing system and having an inlet opening for the passage of air therethrough in response to vacuum produced by the system and for sealing the inlet opening against passage of air therethrough, said holder comprising a bracket including two legs, one of said legs being adapted for attachment to a support surface, the other of said legs projecting from said one leg, a sheet of flexible air impervious material connected to said legs and extending therebetween for movement relative to said bracket, and a tool support member carried by said bracket and adapted to support the tool with the inlet opening thereof in close proximity to said sealing member so that said sealing member is drawn into sealing engagement with the inlet opening by vacuum produced by the system.

8. A holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool as set forth in claim 7 wherein said one leg is adapted for attachment to a vertically disposed support surface, said other leg projects from the upper end portion of said one leg, and said tool support member comprises a hanger attached to the lower end portion of said one leg.

9. A holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool as set forth in claim 8 wherein said hanger includes a pair of horizontally spaced arms' curving arcuately outwardly and upwardly from said vertically extending leg.

I t l i 8 

1. A holder for supporting a vacuum tool connected to a vacuum producing system and having an inlet opening for the passage of air therethrough in response to vacuum produced by the system and for sealing the inlet opening against passage of air therethrough, said holder comprising a bracket adapted for attachment to a support surface, a flexible sheet of air impervious material, means connecting a portion of said flexible sheet in fixed position to said bracket, said sheet having another portion thereof loosely disposed in spaced relation to said bracket for movement relative thereto, and a tool support member carried by said bracket and adapted to support the tool with the inlet opening thereof in close proximity to said other portion of said sheet so that said other portion is drawn into sealing engagement with the inlet opening by vacuum produced by the system.
 2. A holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said sheet is made from elastomeric material.
 3. A holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said connecting means comprises means for releasably securing said sheet to said bracket.
 4. A holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool as set forth in claim 1 wherein said tool support member includes means for causing the tool to seek a position in close proximity to said sheet when the tool is placed on the support member.
 5. A tool holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool as set forth in claim 4 wherein said tool support member includes a tool supporting surface which curves arcuately outwardly and upwardly from said bracket when said bracket is attached to the support surface, said tool supporting surface comPrising said means for causing the tool to seek said position in close proximity to said sheet.
 6. A holder for supporting a vacuum tool connected to a vacuum generating system and having an inlet opening for the passage of air therethrough in response to vacuum generated by the system and for sealing the inlet opening against passage of air therethrough, said holder comprising a generally L-shaped bracket adapted for attachment to a wall surface or the like and having a generally vertically extending leg and a horizontally extending leg projecting outwardly from the upper end of said vertically extending leg, a flexible sheet of air impervious material connected to and loosely extending between the free end portions of said horizontally and vertically extending legs, and a tool hanger including a pair of generally horizontally spaced arms curving arcuately outwardly and upwardly from said vertically extending leg and adapted to support the tool with the air inlet thereof in close proximity to said flexible sheet whereby said sheet is drawn into sealing engagement with the inlet opening by vacuum generated by the system.
 7. A holder for supporting a vacuum tool connected to a vacuum producing system and having an inlet opening for the passage of air therethrough in response to vacuum produced by the system and for sealing the inlet opening against passage of air therethrough, said holder comprising a bracket including two legs, one of said legs being adapted for attachment to a support surface, the other of said legs projecting from said one leg, a sheet of flexible air impervious material connected to said legs and extending therebetween for movement relative to said bracket, and a tool support member carried by said bracket and adapted to support the tool with the inlet opening thereof in close proximity to said sealing member so that said sealing member is drawn into sealing engagement with the inlet opening by vacuum produced by the system.
 8. A holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool as set forth in claim 7 wherein said one leg is adapted for attachment to a vertically disposed support surface, said other leg projects from the upper end portion of said one leg, and said tool support member comprises a hanger attached to the lower end portion of said one leg.
 9. A holder for supporting and sealing a vacuum tool as set forth in claim 8 wherein said hanger includes a pair of horizontally spaced arms curving arcuately outwardly and upwardly from said vertically extending leg. 